Superadobe Earth-Based Architecture’s Potential For Innovation: Knowledge Gaps And Design Opportunities From Digital Technology Integration

Abstract

<p>This paper explores future opportunities for sustainable rural construction in developing nations through technology integration into SuperAdobe, a continuous-earthbag-based shelter construction system. Where traditional urban materials, such as steel, concrete, and brickwork, often prove unsuitable in these contexts due to high costs, transportation challenges, and scarcity, SuperAdobe shows promise, especially in arid to sub-tropical climates and emergency scenarios. Yet, the tectonic system faces limitations in design variability, reliance on empirical structural design, and construction complexity. This paper presents an analysis of SuperAdobe and proposes integrating the latest digital design and construction tools and techniques to address these challenges. By leveraging computational design methodologies for construction rationalization and structural feasibility analysis and by incorporating robotic clay extrusion in the prototyping stage and Augmented Reality technology to guide on-site instructions, this paper proposes to enhance SuperAdobe’s feasible design possibilities and opportunity space in diverse rural settings.<br></p>